From our intrepid volunteer: Michiel Kruijff

U2 Amsterdam July 21, 2009
Originally uploaded by u2log.com

I have always been a big fan of the Irish pop band U2. I grew up with two older sisters in the eighties, when their star was rising. Their music is great, ever changing, yet with a unique style. They quite simply rock. However, what is particularly appealing to me about U2 is that they use their fame to better the world. They’re pop-stars AND true idealists. U2 has cooperated with politicians, scientists, cultural icons and other stars to set up global campaigns for human rights, global justice and for equality. Just like what we are doing right now for our Amsterdam manifestation on July 25.

Yesterday, U2 performed in the ArenA stadium in Amsterdam. I was there. The concert was amazing: Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen gave us a show that was not only invigorating, but also inspiring. Among the many songs they played was the song Walk On, with which they support and praise Aung San Suu Kyi for her activism and fight for freedom in Burma. She has been intermittently under house arrest since 1989 for her efforts. Masked volunteers marched on stage, all with the face of the activist. U2’s message was clear: we are all Aung San Suu Kyi. And we are all fighting for freedom.

For me the most touching performance was when they performed the song Sunday Bloody Sunday, the lyrics of which describe the horrors of Northern Irish ‘Troubles’ of 1972, during which British troops shot and killed 13 civil rights marchers. During the song, the 360˚ viewscreen showed us images of the 2009 election protests in Iran, overlaid with the colours of the Iranian flag and white doves. The song’s message and the imagery strengthened my conviction that what we’re doing, organizing the world-wide United 4 Iran event, we’re not doing alone. We’re in this together. All of us.

U2 tried and succeeded to give the whole stadium, all 40.000 of us, a sense of intimacy, of togetherness. Of solidarity. Let’s try to top this on the 25th! Walk On!

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be a hero by Tori